Author note:

Thank you all so much for your kind responses. I really appreciate all of them!

Let me know if you like this one. I hope you enjoy!

CH 55-Letting Go

Jason got a list from the realtor of things around the house that should be fixed or updated for the sale to go through. It seemed unachievable in the little time they had. Especially between Ops and training. All the guys pitched in to help out in some way or another.

Of course, Clay was there the most, doing everything from replacing light fixtures, to minor plumbing repairs, to cleaning gutters. This Sunday he was at the house to help Jason clean out and paint the garage.

Jason let him in and offered some coffee.

"That'd be great." He indicated the box in his hand. "I brought some donuts."

Jason grabbed a pastry as Clay fixed a mug of coffee. They stood in the kitchen planning how to tackle the day's project.

"Go on up and say 'Hi' to Em before we get started."

"Is she up?"

"Probably not," Jason smiled.

Clay climbed the stairs, stepped into Emma's room and closed the door behind himself. He sat down gently on the bed beside her and she stirred slightly. Clay bent over to kiss her awake. Emma responded to the familiar embrace. He sat up once she was fully conscious.

"Good morning beautiful."

"Mmmm good morning."

He loved her sleepy, little girl voice. He reached out and brushed a few errant strands of hair from her face.

"Who all is here this morning," she asked as she pushed herself up against the headboard.

With all the updates going on lately, the house had become a revolving door of Bravo Team members.

"You're stuck with just me today."

She scrubbed over her face with the back of her hand.

"Ugh, I guess I better get up and get going. I'm supposed to be 'cleaning and purging'. She made air quotes with her fingers.

"Well, there's coffee downstairs and I brought donuts."

She leaned forward and placed her head on his shoulder. Clay wrapped his arms around her and peppered the top of her head with kisses. Emma tipped her chin up to him and offered him her lips. Clay gladly obliged but pulled back before they could get carried away.

"I need to get back down there babe."

"I know," she sighed. "And I need to get in the shower."

He stood up and offered her his hand to help her up. She went to ger her robe and he started toward the door.

"See you later honey."

She flashed him a smile. "See you later sailor."

Emma finished her shower and got dressed in leggings and a sweatshirt she had liberated from Clay's closet. Before she headed down to eat, she knocked on her brother's door.

"Mikey, up and at 'em. You need to work on cleaning out your room today."

She continued down to the kitchen and got a much-needed cup of coffee and a donut. She smiled when she saw that Clay had gotten her one of her favorite blueberry ones.

When she was done with her food, she made sure Mikey was in the shower and then went to her room to start sorting and packing. She made three piles, pack, donate, and dispose. Working her way through her room she was making real progress. After a time, she checked the time and was shocked that it was well past lunch. Her dad and Clay would be hungry. Before she went down to fix food, she stopped to check on Mikey.

"How's it going," she asked as she stuck her head in his room.

"Good, I guess. It's just weird to think of not living here."

"I know what you mean. You hungry?"

"Yep."

"I'm going to go fix us all some sandwiches. Can you go let Dad and Clay know?"

"Sure."

Emma was in the kitchen working on their meal when Clay stepped up behind her and wrapped an arm around her middle.

"I wondered where this shirt had gone."

She turned around to face him and started laughing.

"What's so funny?"

"You seem to have developed some freckles." He had paint speckled on his face.

"Damn." He scrubbed at his face as she snickered.

"Oh, you think it's funny?"

He started to tickle her as she backed away from him. He had her trapped in the corner between him and the counter. Suddenly, the look on his face changed from a playful grin to warm and hungry. Emma licked her lips and pulled his mouth down to hers. She traced her tongue along his lips and he immediately responded. He started to slip his hands under her shirt and up her back.

They were both startled by Jason's voice.

"Uh, huhhmmm. Is the food ready?"

Emma and Clay pulled apart and she was blushing furiously.

"I…uh…yes…it's ready."

Clay stood there trying to gauge Jason's reaction to their display. He didn't seem too upset, but more amused at Emma's discomfort.

"I'm going to go make sure Mikey washes up." She fled the room.

Clay spoke up. "Sorry about that man. I didn't know you were there."

"Yea, figured that." Jason sighed. "Listen, we've never had this conversation. But, since Em is moving in with you soon, I guess this is as good a time as any."

Clay swallowed and made himself hold Jason's gaze.

"I know you and Emma share a bed. I assume you've both been careful…but promise me Clay, don't do anything to derail her future."

"Yea, that's covered. Emma and I want a family, but not until after we're married."

Jason nodded in agreement.

"Emma's an extraordinary woman and I know she has a lot of things she wants to accomplish. And I want to help her do that."

"Good to hear. Now let's eat."

They all sat down to lunch. Jason didn't mention what he had walked in on. But Emma had a hard time meeting his eyes.

"Clay and I are finished painting. How're you guys doing with packing and organizing?"

Mikey spoke up first. "I'm good. But I have questions on a couple things."

"Okay. We can go check it out. What about you Em?"

"I'm pretty much done. I might need a couple more storage tubs though."

"Alright. After I help Mikey, I think it's time for us to sort through the rest of your Mom's things. I know it'll be hard, but it's time."

Both Emma and Mikey nodded silently.

Jason and Mikey left and went up to his room while Clay and Emma cleared the table. He could tell she was struggling.

"Em, are you gonna be okay?"

"I guess."

He reached for her and pulled her close. "Do you want to do this alone with your Dad? Or, do you want me to stay?"

"Would you stay with me?"

"Of course, honey. Whatever you need."

He placed his lips against the top of her head and they just stood that way until Jason called for Emma. She and Clay went up to the Master where Jason was taking some boxes out of the closet.

Emma sat on the bed next to Mikey. Clay stood next to her, offering his support just through his presence.

Jason opened the first box and it was some of Alana's clothes.

"Em, is there anything you want?"

Part of her wanted to run to her room and bury her head under the pillow and forget about all this. But she knew she had to face it. She fiddled with the flap on the box.

"I don't know. I…maybe her grey sweater."

Jason knew exactly which one she was talking about. It had been one of Alana's favorites that she has worn all the time.

"Is that okay with you Mikey?"

The youngster nodded. He couldn't speak. He was barely keeping it together. His lip was quivering, and he was holding back tears.

Clay looked to Jason and could see his boss was grappling with his own emotions. Clay reached out to Mikey and wrapped and arm around him.

"It's okay to cry man. It's okay to let it out."

Emma was crying too, but she knew Mikey needed Clay in this moment. Watching him hold her little brother, she didn't think she'd ever loved him more.

Jason reached for his boy and Clay surrendered the boy to his arms.

"I don' think I can do this Dad."

"It's okay. Come on Sport." He walked him to his room.

Clay turned to Emma. Tears were standing in her eyes.

"Babe, you okay," he questioned.

"God, I love you!"

It wasn't what he was expecting. But he readily accepted her embrace.

Jason came back after he had calmed Mikey and the boy had gone to sleep. He and Emma went through the rest of Alana's things. They decided to donate her clothes. Emma picked out some jewelry she wanted, and Jason put back some pieces for Mikey.

When they were done, Emma was emotionally exhausted. She knew it was early. But all she wanted was to lay in Clay's arms. He followed her to her room. She held it together until he closed the door behind them. He could see her shoulders start to shake and he went to hug her. Soon she was sobbing in his arms.

"Shhh. Shhh babe. I know. That was tough."

"I miss her so much. I thought I was used to it by now. I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize. That's why I'm here Emmie. I love you baby."

"Can you stay with me? I just want you to hold me."

"Of course, honey."

"I know it's early… but can we…" she gestured to the bed.

Clay nodded. He stripped off his jeans and tee shirt. Emma undressed down to her panties and put on a sleep tank. He got under the covers and held out his arms to her. She cuddled into him and breathed him in. Having him so sure and solid next to her gave her the sense of safety and peace she needed to calm her frayed emotions and fall asleep.

Once he heard her even breathing and was sure she was sleeping, he kissed her forehead and closed his eyes and let himself relax into slumber.